Lukashenko Pardons 30 Political Prisoners in Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 individuals convicted for protest activities, including 23 men and 7 women, most of whom are parents of young children. This decision, announced by state news agency Belta, follows a similar pardon made in August for 30 political prisoners, including several who were seriously ill. Human rights organizations, however, report that approximately 1,400 people remain imprisoned for expressing dissent, highlighting that the environment for political prisoners remains harsh and that the rate of politically motivated prosecutions is increasing. Activists criticize these pardons as superficial gestures that do not indicate any meaningful change in the government's approach to dissent. The fate of many political prisoners, such as protest leader Maria Kalesnikava, remains uncertain, raising concerns about the conditions they face in custody. The pardons come as Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, recently celebrated his 70th birthday amid ongoing criticism of his regime's human rights record.